BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Jan. 20, 2018
PALMS OPENS WHITE AND BLACK WEDDING CHAPEL
Las Vegas always has something new and different. Last week, the Instagram-worthy 800-square-foot art installation, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, opened for official wedding ceremonies. The cartoonish immersive pop-up display was created by Guatemalan-American graphic designer and visual artist Joshua Vides.
The “White and Black Wedding” offers four different packages for couples. Most affordable is the one-hour “Our Marriage Looks Perfect—On Instagram” starting at $250.
JEFF CIVILLICO EXTENDS HEADLINING AT PARIS
Multi-talented Jeff Civillico will continue another two years performing his “Comedy in Action” show in the Anthony Cools Showroom at Paris through 2020. Civillico has performed more than 2,000 shows as a headliner with Caesars Entertainment since 2012. He first appeared at The LINQ, then the Flamingo, and now Paris. Civillico performs his show on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and select days at 4 p.m.
This industrious performer is also the founder-chairman of national nonprofit Win-Win Entertainment, celebrity spokesman for the Las Vegas National History Museum, and an in-demand keynote speaker.
BLUE RIBBON WILL OPEN AT RED ROCK
New restaurant Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill will debut inside Red Rock Resort on Friday, Jan. 25. Blue Ribbon Restaurants, co-founded by brothers and chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg, was started in 1992 and now operates more than 20 culinary destinations across the country.
This new endeavor marks the return of Blue Ribbon Sushi with an all-new Japanese-style restaurant and bar featuring an indoor and outdoor dining experience complete with a traditional 12-seat walnut sushi bar, a roofed cocktail bar with patio seating, and a festive outdoor beer garden known as a Kanpai Garden.
AsfourGuzy Architects out of New York City drew their design inspiration from a meandering Tokyo street scene highlighting recycled walnut wood bars, cedar huts, communal tables, laser cut illuminated metal screens, chochin paper street lanterns and vibrant glazed Japanese tilework.
Operating hours will be daily from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and midnight on Friday and Saturday.
BRETT YOUNG WILL VISIT THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK
Brett Young, the 2018 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year, will make a stop at The Joint at Hard Rock on Friday, March 22 at 9 p.m. during his second headlining tour. Tickets start at $42.50.
Young’s sophomore album “Ticket to L.A.” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart when it was released last month. The 2018 album follows his 2017 self-titled debut, which dominated the Top 20 on the Country Albums chart for 37 weeks and reached RIAA Platinum certification. Recently, Young was named ASCAP’s 2018 Country Songwriter-Artist of the Year.
BELLAGIO ART GALLERY EXPLORES MIRROR ROOM AND LIGHTS
Though April 28, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is presenting two installations by renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room – Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity and Narcissus Garden.
The Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity is a room of infinite, shimmering LED lights and mirror-lined spaces. Visitors stepping into the enclosed room become immersed by an array of lights igniting a mirage on every surface representing the eternal cycle of life. The light cycle inside the Infinity Mirrored Room lasts 45 seconds.
Narcissus Garden has been re-installed in various settings since its creation more than 50 years ago. This iteration is comprised of 750 stainless steel silver globes, which create an infinite lake distorting images of reality reflected on the surface of 12-inch orbs.
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON APPEARS AT SMITH CENTER
Three-time Grammy winner and film star Kris Kristofferson will headline Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. He’ll be on stage with American country band The Strangers, known for recording and performing for many years with Merle Haggard. Tickets are $39-$99.
Movie fans recall Kristofferson in the 1977 hit “A Star Is Born” with Barbra Streisand, which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor. He’s acted in more than 70 films including the “Blade” trilogy, “Lone Star,” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.”
The inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame has recorded more than 30 albums, including three with his country pals Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings referred to as The Highwaymen. As a songwriter, more than 450 artists have recorded Kristofferson’s compositions.
DAVE ATTELL WILL PERFORM AT COMEDY CELLAR AT THE RIO
Comedian Dave Attell, who appeared in the Netflix special “Bumping Mics” with Jeff Ross, will headline the Comedy Cellar at the Rio Monday, Feb. 18 at 8 and 10 p.m. Attell is best known as the host of Comedy Central’s “Insomniac with Dave Attell.” Tickets start at $45.
The Comedy Cellar at the Rio is an exact replica of the underground Greenwich Village club, including the “brick wall and stained glass,” low-ceiling design and full food and drink menu from the club’s sister bar and late-night hangout The Fat Black Pussycat.
LAS VEGAS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL SET FOR MARCH
The city of Las Vegas will host the free 2019 Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival Saturday, March 23 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Centennial Hills Park, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive. The event is a full day of bluegrass and Americana bands, accompanied by an array of folk art, jewelry and other items in the craft marketplace, and activities for kids. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
This year’s festival lineup will include: quartet string band Twisted Pine; Austin-based western swing/jazz trio Hot Club of Cowtown; Bumper Jacksons, a brassy seven-piece band with horns and pedal steel; and triple-threat fiddle champions The Quebe Sisters, who have shared the stage with Willie Nelson, George Strait, Merle Haggard and many others.
The Southern Nevada Bluegrass Music Society’s Out of the Desert will provide “strolling musicians” between sets as well as sponsor the instrument petting zoo. All instruments will be given away as prizes at the end of the festival.
SHARKY’S LAUNCHES DRAY BOWL AND HELPS THREE SQUARE
Fast-casual Sharky’s Modern Mexican Kitchen, a lifestyle franchise brand, has teamed up with local yoga master and Silent Savasana founder Dray Gardner to introduce the Dray Bowl. The new health-centric, nutrient-rich menu item has Chipotle-braised chicken tinga, organic black beans and brown rice, charred kale, sweet peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pineapple salsa, pickled onions and sliced avocado; and, it can be a plant-based option with organic tofu. Fifty cents from every Dray Bowl sold through March 31 will go to Three Square Food Bank.
To celebrate, Sharky’s and Gardner will host a “Silent Party” at the 8975 West Charleston Blvd. location on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 3-5 p.m. Guests will be able to party in silence with wireless headphones for an immersive sensory experience with DJ CLA spinning. Fresh-made sangrias and draft beers will be $3 and Dray Bowls $12. A special raffle will include gift cards, Topgolf swag bag, private yoga session for five, plus other prizes. Sharky’s second location is at 5079 Blue Diamond Road.
Gardner, once crippled by a life-threatening auto accident, passed on back surgery embracing a more holistic approach…yoga.
‘THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES’ AT THE SPACE WILL BENEFIT CHARITIES
As part of the V-Day movement nationally, The Space will present “The Vagina Monologues” Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 14-16 at 8 p.m. and feature Las Vegas entertainers and personalities. Tickets are $25-$50 with proceeds benefitting three charities: The Rape Crisis Center; Dress for Success of Southern Nevada; and Yoga Haven. Near the Strip, The Space is located at 3460 Cavaretta Court.
“The Vagina Monologues” gave birth to V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against all women and girls. It’s been 20 years since Eve Ensler’s play shattered taboos.
QUEEN BEE MARKET RETURNS IN MARCH
Queen Bee Market will return with a two-day market Friday-Saturday, March 8 and 9 at The Conference Center of Las Vegas. The urban-style handmade market is described as “Etsy comes to life.” Tickets are $5 at the door. Children 12 years old and younger and military with ID receive free entry. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
This will be the 27th Queen Bee Market since its creation in 2010, with artisans showcasing handmade items in booths, live demonstrations, and make-and-take stations. Originally vendors, sisters and San Diego natives Kellie Dooley and Allison Gharst became Queen Bee Market owners in 2014.
Thursday night before the expo, Queen Bee Market will host a Craft Night at Mansion 54 featuring food, drinks, giveaways, swag bags and three take-home crafts from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 7. Tickets to Craft Night are $90 and available for purchase beginning Jan. 24 on The Queen Bee Market website.
DINING ITEMS
The Old Homestead Steakhouse inside Caesars Palace will host an evening with Orin Swift Wines on Thursday, Jan. 31 starting at 6 p.m. The specialty six-course meal will feature Orin Swift winemaker Dave Phinney guiding guests on an interactive journey featuring paired wines from California and storytelling. Cost is $295 online.
Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge in Town Square is offering three warm specially-priced cocktails – Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum, and Hot Irish Coffee – through Thursday, Jan. 31 for $8 each.
Last Friday, Jan. 18 Smoked Burgers & BBQ at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace kicked off a Happy Hour offered every day from 3 to 6 p.m. Guests are offered a robust selection food and beverages for a reduced price. To celebrate hump day-Wednesdays, a select specialty hand-crafted cocktail offer is added.
DOWNTOWN GRAND HOSTS VEGAS MUSIC SUMMIT
Kilpop’s Vegas Music Summit, a two-day annual conference, will be held Thursday and Friday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Downtown Grand. The gathering converges music and media with educational panelists and artist showcases. Invited speakers are influential executives from companies such as Warner Music Group, Lionsgate, ReverbNation and Brooklyn Bowl to name a few. Mac Reynolds will do a Q&A about managing Imagine Dragons from their early days as an unsigned group to becoming one of the biggest artists globally. Other venues participating will be Backstage Bar & Billiards and Fremont Country Club.
Two-day badges are $99. VIP badges are $499 and include access to private suite showcases, industry only dinners, VIP access to the Kilpop Radio Awards and other amenities. Discounted student badges are also available.
CHILDREN’S HEART FOUNDATION HOLDS ANNUAL CHARITY WALK
The Children’s Heart Foundation is holding its 16th Annual Walk on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Fashion Show mall on the Strip starting at 7 a.m. with registration, entertainment, raffles and Kids Zone, the walk at 8 a.m., and the raffle and awards ceremony at 9 a.m. The event supports congenital heart defect (CHD), which in the United States is 60 times more prevalent than childhood cancer, and 40,000 annual cases make it the leading cause of illness and death in the first year of life.
Online registration is $25 for adults and $15 for active-duty military, students, seniors and virtual walkers (those who cannot attend the event or physically participate).
VIPS VISITING HEADLINING SHOWS
Paul Stanley, famed musician and lead singer for the legendary rock band KISS, attended the new “Criss Angel MINDFREAK®” show at Planet Hollywood. Following the finale, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stanley met with his long-time friend Angel backstage. He also signed the MINDFREAK train located at the Criss Angel Theater’s entrance. The all-new 90-minute spectacular integrates the most sophisticated, cutting-edge technology and boasts more than 75 of Criss’ signature illusions.
UFC president Dana White was spotted attending a 10 p.m. performance of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace. TV personality and singer-producer Chester Lockhart, who had a stint in “Sex Tips for a Straight Woman from a Gay Man,” with friends also attended “Absinthe” on another night. After each show, both VIPs went backstage for a photo and visit with The Gazillionaire and the Green Fairy.
“Blue Man Group” at the Luxor helped with a surprise. After a seven-month deployment at Al Deid Air Base, Qatar with the United States Air Force, Captain Aaron Summers surprised his six children ages 3 to 17 at a “Blue Man Group” performance when he was incorporated into a segment of the show. Afterwards Summers wife, father and children were treated to a private meet-and-greet with the trio of blue men.
CELEBRATING MILESTONES
Comedy-magician Adam London celebrated six years of his show “Laughternoon” at the D Las Vegas this month. With rubber ducks a reoccurring theme in his shows, London designed one day a month “I Give A Duck” and gave the proceeds from tickets and merchandise last year to charities, generating more than $8,000. His shows are daily at 4 p.m. in The Showroom with tickets starting at $49.95.
The comedy “Sex Tips for a Straight Women from a Gay man” recently celebrated its 500th performance at Paris with a special cake and current stars of the show…Mark Melton Jr., Katie Kenner and Chris Hodgson. The show is performed: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday; 9 p.m. on Monday; and 11 p.m. on Saturday.
“Las Vegas Weekly,” a Greenspun Media Group publication, will celebrate 21 years in print with a birthday bash at the new club On The Record located inside Park MGM on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 9-11 p.m. Party is complimentary and open to the public, register at conta.cc/2DOWobF. Must be 21.
Distill Centennial Hills at 6430 N. Durango Drive is celebrating its 2nd anniversary with a red carpet-theme extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. This special occasion features a gourmet dinner buffet, live music, hourly giveaways, a costume contest and more. There is no cover charge to attend but guest must be 21 years or older.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
It’s been announced iHeartMedia Las Vegas will move their regional office downtown at 425 Fremont Street, Suite 220 in August 2019 with a 15-year lease. The new radio headquarters is part of iHeartMedia’s new partnership with Fremont Street Experience to revitalize and assist in downtown’s growth.
Angela Teek will be singing at the Italian American Club at 2333 E. Sahara Ave. for a second time on Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. Teek appeared on the original “Star Search” hosted by Ed McMahon and was undefeated 10 consecutive weeks and won the $100,000 grand prize as female vocalist champ. Since then, she has appeared on Broadway and sung around the globe. Tickets are $25, call 702-218-4124.
Nevada Ballet Theatre’s mid-winter program with a full orchestra is featuring four important ballets: “Firebird;” “Raymonda Variations;” “Light Rain;” and “Crane/ing” on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at The Smith Center in Reynolds Hall.
South Point Arena will host the 19th Annual 3-Star Tour World Archery Festival Friday-Sunday, Feb. 8-10. The Vegas Shoot, known as the largest and most prestigious indoor archery tournament in the world, attracts more than 3,500 novices to Olympic archers from around the globe. The event includes three intense days of no-error competition and is free and open to the public.
Life Time at the Green Valley location is holding its Indoor Triathlon program on Sunday, Jan. 27. Participants compete racing against the clock and receiving points for going further in a specific time frame rather than going faster over a fixed distance. The total event lasts 75 minutes and consists of a 10-minute pool swim, 30-minutes on an indoor bike, and a 20-minute run on a treadmill. Registration is $35 and open to Life Time destination members and non-members alike.
The retail industry’s MAGIC Marketplace, the largest global market week for contemporary fashion, will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 5-7.